View source for Senser

{{Short description|British rap rock band}}
{{EngvarB|date=December 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2017}}

{{distinguish|Censer|Censor (disambiguation){{!}}Censor|Censure|Sensor}}
{{Refimprove|date=November 2024}}

{{Infobox musical artist  <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
| name                = Senser
| image               =
| caption             =
| image_size          =
| background          = group_or_band
| alias               =
| origin              = London, England
| genre               = {{Hlist|[[Rap rock]]|[[rapcore]]|[[alternative rock]]|[[rap metal]]|[[nu metal]]<ref>{{Cite web | title=CD Review: Senser - 'How To Do Battle' - Soundsphere magazine | url=https://www.soundspheremag.com/reviews/cd/cd-review-senser-how-to-do-battle/ | access-date=2025-01-08 | website=www.soundspheremag.com}}</ref>}}
| years_active        = 1991–1999, 2003–present
| label               = Ultimate, [[A&M Records|A&M]], [[One Little Indian]], Imprint Music
| website             = {{URL|senser.co.uk/}}
| current_members     = Heitham Al-Sayed<br />Kerstin Haigh<br />Nick Michaelson<br />James Barrett<br />John Morgan<br />Alan "Deckwrecka" Gold<ref>https://www.soundspheremag.com/features/senser-reflect-on-stacked-up-and-give-info-on-new-album/</ref><br />
| past_members        = Erika Footman<br />Paul Soden<br />Alan Haggarty<br />Steve Morton<br />Andy Clinton
}}

'''Senser''' are an English [[rap rock]] band, originally formed in South West London.

==History==
Senser were formed in 1989 in South West London.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Senser |url=https://www.youtube.com/user/senserband/about |access-date=2024-11-28 |website=YouTube |language=en}}</ref>

In 1992, they were joined by [[Spiral Tribe]] D.J, Andy Clinton.<ref name="Strong">Strong, Martin C. (1999) ''The Great Alternative & Indie Discography'', Canongate, {{ISBN|0-86241-913-1}}, p. 551</ref> The band toured in support of psychedelic rockers the [[Ozric Tentacles]] in 1992.<ref name="Strong" /> In 1993, the band were signed to Ultimate Records.

In 1993, Senser released two indie singles on Ultimate – "Eject" and "The Key".<ref name="LarkinHR">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Virgin Encyclopedia of Heavy Rock]]|editor=[[Colin Larkin (writer)|Colin Larkin]]|publisher=[[Virgin Books]]|date=1999|edition=First|isbn=0-7535-0257-7|page=393}}</ref> The latter would appear on [[NME]] Singles of the Week 1993 album.<ref>{{Citation |title=Various - New Musical Express Singles Of The Week 1993 |date=1994 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/990017-Various-New-Musical-Express-Singles-Of-The-Week-1993?srsltid=AfmBOop2Q2Ok-lzcMlPwqsVbxWe8rTmSqrhaMa2xgQ1xws4i8gcYQhDl |access-date=2025-01-04 |language=en}}</ref>

In March 1994, Senser released their third single, "Switch", which entered the [[UK Singles Chart]] at number 39.<ref name="LarkinHR"/> Senser's first album, ''Stacked Up'', was released in May 1994,<ref name="LarkinHR"/> and entered the [[UK Albums Chart]] at number 4.<ref name=":0" />

At the beginning of 1995, Senser toured the UK supported by [[Skunk Anansie]] before setting off to tour the United States with [[Moby]]. It was during this tour that the band decided to split over musical differences.<ref name="LarkinHR"/> Al-Sayed and Morgan left to form a new band with Haggis called [[Lodestar (band)|Lodestar]].<ref name="Strong" /> The remaining members of Senser found a new drummer, Paul Soden, and set about writing Senser's second album.<ref name="LarkinHR"/>

In the summer of 1998, Haigh was able to tour and the band released the second album, ''Asylum''.<ref name="LarkinHR" /> Once again musical differences became apparent and by February 1999 the band decided to split.

In 2003, the original line-up reunited originally to perform for one show, but decided to re-form and record again. They released their third studio album ''SCHEMAtic'' in 2004. 

In 2009, they released ''How To Do Battle''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bringthenoiseuk.com/200910/music/reviews/senser-how-to-do-battle |title=Senser – How To Do Battle " Bring the Noise UK |website=Bringthenoiseuk.com |access-date=1 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219022345/http://www.bringthenoiseuk.com/200910/music/reviews/senser-how-to-do-battle |archivedate=19 February 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

In 2013, they released their fifth album ''To the Capsules'' via [[Pledgemusic]] and toured with Erika Footman on vocals in place of Kerstin Haigh.<ref>{{cite web|last=Wincott |first=Mark |url=http://metalmouth.net/2013/08/senser-to-the-capsules/ |title=SENSER – To The Capsules |website=Metalmouth.net |access-date=1 February 2014}}</ref>

In 2014, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their debut ''Stacked Up'', the band re-released the album in expanded edition with a remastered version of the original tracks on the first CD, and bonus tracks from the era (remixes and previously unreleased songs) on the second disc.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.senser.co.uk/senser-merchandise-shop/stacked-up-xx/|title=Stacked Up XX|website=Senser.com}}</ref>

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the band uploaded a cover of [[The Who]]'s [[Baba O'Riley]] on their YouTube channel on June 28, 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPw3JXLtklA|title=Senser's YouTube channel|website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> 

The band released "Ryot Pump", their first song since 2013 on August 1, 2025. It will be part of their upcoming album ''Sonic Dissidence'', which will be out in October 2025.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sonicabuse.com/senser-return-with-ryot-pump/|title=Senser Return With “Ryot Pump”|website=Sonicabuse.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shiiineon.com/track-of-the-week-senser-ryot-pump/|title=Track of the Week: Senser 'Ryot Pump'|website=shiiineon.com}}</ref>

==Soundtracks to films==
"The Key" was used as part of the cult extreme 1990s ski film, ''The Tribe''.

Senser's song "States of Mind" from ''[[Stacked Up]]'', was used as the soundtrack to the well-known [[demoscene]] production, ''State of Mind'', by Bomb.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=26 |title=State of Mind by Bomb :: pouët.net |website=Pouet.net |access-date=1 February 2014}}</ref>

In 2012, one of their songs was also used in the soundtrack to the film ''Learning Hebrew: A Gothsploitation Movie''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.learninghebrew.wibbell.co.uk/ |title=Learning Hebrew: A Gothsploitation Movie |website=Learninghebrew.wibbell.co.uk |access-date=1 February 2014}}</ref>

==Discography==
===Albums===
{{columns-start}}
'''''[[Stacked Up]]''''' (1994) Ultimate/[[A&M Records|A&M]]
[[UK Albums Chart|UK]] No. 4<ref name="Strong" />
:# States of Mind
:# The Key
:# Switch
:# Age of Panic
:# What's Going On
:# One Touch One Bounce
:# Stubborn
:# Door Game
:# Peanut Head
:# Peace
:# Eject
:# No Comply
:# Worth

{{column}}
'''''Asylum''''' (1998) Ultimate
UK No. 73<ref name="Strong" />
:# Book of Flies
:# Charming Demons
:# Adrenaline
:# Strange Asylum
:# Burn Out
:# Desensitised
:# Breed
:# Lizard
:# Oyster
:# Weatherman
{{columns-end}}

'''''Asylum''''' (Limited Edition) (1998) "Senser Vs. De:Senser"
:# Charming Demons (DJ "Awe" mix)
:# Eye Kaleid
:# Tried & Untested
:# Om (Harry Hogg mix)
:# Rows of People
:# Gabba Man

{{columns-start}}
'''''Parallel Charge''''' (2001) Strike Back
:# Age Of Panic
:# Charming Demons
:# States Of Mind
:# Strange Asylum
:# Switch
:# Breed
:# The Key
:# Adrenalin
:# Eject
:# Lizard
:# Stubborn
:# Book of Flies
:# No Comply
:# Desensitized

{{column}}
'''''SCHEMAtic''''' (2004) One Little Indian
:# Silent By
:# 101 Infoburner
:# Bulletproof
:# Formula Milk
:# Crucible
:# Return to Zombie Island
:# An Astounding Spectacle
:# Photographed Files
:# Bomb Factories
:# A Conscious War
:# The Brunt
{{columns-end}}

{{columns-start}}
'''''How To Do Battle''''' (2009) Imprint
:# Wake Up, You're On Fire
:# Resistance Now
:# Brightest Rays
:# 2 3 Clear
:# Dictator Bling
:# End Of The World Show
:# Smoking Paranoia
:# Sandhurst in Zero G
:# So Refined
:# Hex
:# Fairytale
:# Lights Out
:# Arturo
:# Blind (iTunes Bonus Track)

{{column}}
'''''To The Capsules''''' (2013)
:# Devoid
:# Time Travel Scratch 
:# Witch Village
:# Wounded Spectre
:# Break The Order 
:# Alpha Omega 
:# Liquidity 
:# Echelon 
:# Chemtrails 
:# Let There Be War 
{{columns-end}}

{{columns-start}}
'''''Sonic Dissidence''''' (2025)
:# Ryot Pump
:# Optimus
:# Old World
:# Full Body Rebellion
:# End Of Days
:# Already Dead
:# Bleak Division
:# Air Loom
:# Black Wings
:# Harbinger
:# Carrier Wave
{{columns-end}}

===Singles===
*"Eject" (1993), Ultimate
*"The Key" (1993), Ultimate – [[UK Singles Chart|UK]] No. 47<ref name="Strong" />
*"Switch" (1994), Ultimate – UK No. 39<ref name="Strong" />
*"Age of Panic" (1994), Ultimate – UK No. 52<ref name="Strong" />
*"Charming Demons" (1996), Ultimate – UK No. 42<ref name="Strong" />
*"Adrenalin" (1998), Ultimate - UK No. 85.<ref name=":0" /> No. 14 UK Independent Single Chart<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=1993-09-25 |title=SENSER |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/29288/senser/ |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=Official Charts |language=en}}</ref>
*"Breed" (1998), Ultimate - UK no. 76.<ref name=":0" /> No. 9 UK Independent Singles Chart <ref name=":0" />
*"Weatherman", Ultimate – promo only
*''De:Senser'' EP (1998), Ultimate
*"The Brunt" (2004), One Little Indian - No. 33 UK Independent Singles Chart <ref name=":0" />
*"Bulletproof" / "Crucible" (2004), One Little Indian
*"Resistance Now" (2009), Imprint
*''Biting Rhymes'' EP (2011), Imprint – features hiphop covers<ref name=discogs />

===Videos/DVDs===
*''States of Mind'' (1995), Ultimate (VHS)
*''Live at the Underworld'' (2006), Ignite (DVD/CD)

==Members==
===Current===
* Heitham Al-Sayed – vocals, percussion <small>(1991–1995, 1999, 2003–present)</small>
* Kerstin Haigh – vocals, flute <small>(1991–1999, 2003–2011, 2015–present)</small>
* James Barrett – bass <small>(1991–1999, 2003–present)</small>
* Nick Michaelson – guitar <small>(1991–1999, 2003–present)</small>
* John Morgan – drums <small>(1991–1995, 1999, 2003–present)</small>
* Alan "Deckwrecka" Gold – turntables <small>(2024–present)</small><ref>https://www.soundspheremag.com/features/senser-reflect-on-stacked-up-and-give-info-on-new-album/</ref>

=== Former ===
* Steve Morton – drums <small>(1991–1992)</small>
* Alan "Hagos/Haggis" Haggarty – sound engineering, programming, producer <small>(1992–1994, 1999, 2003–2004)</small>
* Paul Soden – drums <small>(1995–1999)</small>
* Erika Footman – vocals <small>(2011–2015)</small>
* Andy "Awe" Clinton – turntables <small>(1992–1999, 2003–2017)</small>
==References==
{{Reflist|refs=<ref name=discogs>{{cite web|title=Senser – Biting Rhymes|url=http://www.discogs.com/Senser-Biting-Rhymes/release/3257851|website=Discogs.com|access-date=17 April 2015}}</ref>}}

==Bibliography==
* [https://www.nytimes.com/1995/03/25/arts/in-performance-pop-014895.html?sec=&spon= In Performance] (New York Times)
* [https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/transglobalunderground/albums/album/123274/review/6067714/international_times?source=transglobalunderground_rssfeed Rolling Stone Magazine - Transglobal Underground review]{{dead link|date=January 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.senser.co.uk/}}

{{Authority control}}
[[Category:English hip-hop groups]]
[[Category:Rock music groups from London]]
[[Category:Rapcore groups]]
[[Category:English rap rock groups]]
[[Category:British rap metal musical groups]]